Tips for Success
Success in your graduate program is 99% dependent on you. The most important advice anyone can give is to know yourself. Know your strengths and use them to the fullest. Know your weaknesses and seek help to improve them.
Success in courses
Success in your courses depends on you.
1. Make sure you have the background knowledge before you register for a course. Read the syllabus/outline to ensure you are aware of all resources, texts, instructor expectations
2. ASK QUESTIONS!
3. Attend ALL classes and pay attention!
4. Read the text and/or other material suggested by the professor, and further explore themes and topics that are of interest to you.
5. Do all the homework assignments.
6. Know yourself. Identify your most effective study method. Each student is different.
7. Consult the UBC Writing and Language Centre. They are a great resource for everyone.
Success in your research
Research is fun, however successful research is largely dependent on you. Your professor will give guidance but you must put in the effort to achieve successful results.
1. Use your time with your supervisor well. You should arrive at your weekly meetings prepared to discuss your results and questions. Bring a notebook to record important recommendations.
2. Keep a journal of all your research reading, summarizing each article, and your critique of it – it will help you greatly for future reference and preparation of your lit review.
3. Utilize training programs and workshops the University provides. Many different training programs are available from many different resources.
4. Start with a good literature review. Don't depend on your supervisor to give you readings. Initially it will take a considerable amount of time locating and reading the pertinent articles. Once you do this devote at least one day a month to reviewing the literature. Choose a day when new editions of your best sources are published.
5. Sign up for academic listserv's or Journal table of contents alerts.
6. Join professional societies in your area of interest. Student membership rates are usually very affordable.
7. Use good work ethics. Manage your time well.
8. Make sure that your thesis contains a significant amount of critical evaluation of your research findings. Do not simply present a graph or table, discuss the meaning and engineering significance of the findings.
9. Your supervisor is NOT your editor, so be sure to carefully proofread for spelling/grammar before handing anything for review/comment. If you need help, go see Dr. Labun in the new Centre for Scholarly Communication. If you really need help, consider hiring a professional editor.
Last reviewed 
9/1/2011 10:49:52 AM
